Download Parent Handbook - St Cloud Soccer Club

Parent and Player
Handbook
Introduction Academy & Development Program
Contact List
Coaching Sessions
Players Kit and Equipment
Important parent/player Information
Injury and Illness
Injury Clinic
Overplay & Signs of Overuse
Diet & Nutrition
Registration
Appraisals Child Protection
Equal Opportunities
Missing Persons Procedure
Players Code of Conduct
Disciplinary Procedure
Complaints Procedure
Welcome to St Cloud Soccer Club
We would like to welcome all our new and returning players for the fall 2016
season of our Select and Recreation program. Here at the St Cloud Soccer Club
we are proud of our brand new restructuring of our Select and Recreation
program which are intent on delivering a first class experience to all our players
from age U5-U19 years of age. The Development of our young players in a safe,
happy and caring environment is of paramount importance, with the aim of giving
each individual the best possible chance of achieving their maximum potential in
soccer. We will also provide parents/guardians with advice, guidance and
information on the welfare and development of their children.
For the players that are selected for our Select program we ask for commitment,
self discipline, positive attitude to succeed and a good work ethic. We also expect
the boys/girls to take charge of their own development by continuing to review
and set themselves goals to achieve throughout the season. It is hoped that this
handbook provides the reader with a clearer insight into how we can work
together to meet the high standards we demand, and achieve the goals we set.
We want to offer the best for our players and their parents/guardians. With your
help we can achieve this. The St Cloud Soccer Club, board of director and its
coaching staff, wish all of our players every success and happiness here at St
Cloud Soccer Club.
Select Academy & Development Program
What is the Select Program? The Select Program is our travel soccer that runs a 42
week technical program aimed towards players wishing to take their skill and play
to the next level. The staff is highly qualified; current or ex professional soccer
players/professional coaches. Players will be challenged within the correct
environment to ensure smooth development transitions. The coaches will provide
regular assessments and feedback throughout the year assessing a four corner
model for each player on technical/tactical, psychological, physical and social
aspects of the player’s development. This program is designed for players who
believe they could play at a higher level but have not had an opportunity. The
select program is to develop boys and girls not yet at the 'elite' level. The quality
of coaching is mirrored from the elite academies to aid in maximum growth
potential. Payment information can be found on our website at
Stcloudsoccer.org. Payments will be made by standing order on the 1st of every
month in advance. The technical program runs from July through December and
February through May. Will attending the academy affects me playing for my
local school team? No, we will not interfere with or stop any player from playing
for their local school team.
Coaching Session Arrangements
The following is a list of important points of information:
Dates: • Coaching sessions will take place on: - please check time tables for your
age group time/ night. During the school holidays no training sessions will be held
unless notified. Details will be given to all players well in advance.
Punctuality: • Players are expected to arrive 10 minutes before the start of the
session. Attendance and punctuality to games and practice will be recorded and
the coach may use this info when determining play time.
Absence: • If a player is unable to attend training, whether it is due to illness or
school commitments, the player must contact his/her team manager to let
him/her know that they are unavailable. This must be done with as much prior
notice as possible.
Conduct: • The good name of the St Cloud Soccer Club is to be maintained at all
times. Players are reminded of the importance of their good conduct and
behavior and respect for all facilities we use. People are always watching!
• Behave in a safe and careful manner when using the facilities.
• Treat the coach, team-mates and opponents, as you would like to be treated.
• Take pride in your appearance. Players are expected to wear club kit for training
at all times, as laid down by the coaches - “Look smart, play smart”. Remember to
bring your soccer ball.
• Kit must be worn properly, i.e. socks over shin guards, socks pulled up etc.
• Shin pads must be worn for training and games. Chewing gum is not allowed.
• Earrings and jewelry must not be worn when representing the club/training.
This is the players/parents’ responsibility to remove items prior to games and
practices.
Practice:
• Players must practice - this is the route to excellence. Try to 1. Practice
techniques worked on in coaching sessions, 2. Watch games and your favorite
players.
• Use the time prior to the session as “personal practice time” – work individually
or in pairs.
• All players should practice as much as possible at home.
Problems:
• If you have any problems please do not hesitate to speak to your coach. If the
matter is still unresolved then contact Director of Coaching.
Bad Weather:
• Please check with our hotline to make sure practice is on if bad weather may be
approaching. Info for the hotline can be found on the website.
Players Kit & Equipment: It is each player's responsibility to bring the following
items with them to each session: Training Session: ✓ Full Academy /
Development training kit, suitable for sessions. ✓ Cleats ✓ Shin pads ✓ Drinks
✓ Ball. (DO NOT FORGET THE BALL)
Game: ✓ Cleats ✓ Shin pads ✓ Game kit ✓ Drinks bottle ✓ Ball.
Footwear must always be cleaned to a high standard. Please ensure the player’s
shoes are tied prior to arriving at the fields.
Information for Player/Parent • We would ask parents to ensure their player
arrives on time for training etc and is collected at the correct time. If he/she is
unable to attend please always inform the coach/team manager. Continued late
arrival and absences could result in less game time.
• Please provide us with the player’s medical details and keep us informed of any
change. Also if a change of address/school/contact numbers occurs inform the
coach.
• Could all parents please label all their players personal training kit. Especially
their ball.
• Always stand on the designated side of the pitch on match days. Always
encourage and not instruct. Parents found to e coaching from the sideline could
result in their child being substituted. This will be for the coach to reiterate
previous instructions to the child.
• Players must always LOOK THE PART, ACT THE PART AND PLAY THE PART.
Follow the Club’s Code of Conduct and respect Club Staff.
• Rest is very important. Do not try to do too much. Be selective. A young player
needs to allow his body time to rest and deal with growth changes.
• Energy is very important to the athlete. Encourage a healthy diet, high in
carbohydrates and low in fat. Eat little amounts, and often.
• Always warm up before and warm down after training and matches. This can
assist in the prevention of injury and stiffness afterwards.
• Always represent yourself in a proper manner at all times. Work hard at school.
Injury & Illness: the fitness and health of our young players is clearly very
important to our Soccer Club. A fit and healthy player means the young player
can give his best. The Soccer Club will provide information and guidance to all our
young players on how to assist them to minimize the chance of certain injuries
and stay healthy. All our young players will complete a Medical Health Form to
ensure Staff is fully aware of any medical condition the player may have, or
mediation they may need to take. This will be kept on the player’s personal file at
the Club and within the Attendance Register which is held by a club official. The
Club has a procedure to follow if a player is ill or injured. He/she must inform the
Coach that he/she is unable to attend a coaching session or match.
Help Prevent Injury In order to minimize the risk of injury; the player must warmup properly. Muscles are like elastic bands. When not stretched they shrink.
When stretched they expand. If an elastic band is stretched too quickly it snaps.
If a player does not warm-up thoroughly and correctly, the risk of a pulled muscle
increases. It is important the warm-up is conducted properly and that muscles
are prepared for every eventuality. Advice and guidance will be given to all our
players on the importance of warming-up, a correct warm-up routine, and
preparing the body for the demands of the game.
Coaching Evening/Sessions and Weekend Games all coaches are emergency aid
trained.
Parents’ Responsibilities: please ensure that all injuries are reported to the
appropriate staff. It is important that boys/girls do not play or train with injuries
no matter how small, it is always advisable to have the injury examined. Help
Prevent Injury the fitness and health of our young players is clearly very important
to our Soccer Club. Overplay: the Soccer Club will always be considerate of the
physiological demands on young players as they grow. It is Soccer Club policy to
ensure the physical demand is not such that it can be detrimental to their wellbeing and have an adverse effect on their future. Elite young players will be
asked to play at every opportunity. By their school, their district and county
teams, and the Club. And, if not controlled properly, can result in the player
suffering from an “Overplay” injury and a sustained period of absence through
such injury. Young players and their parent/guardian will be made aware of the
importance of rest and the dangers of playing too much sport, in a concentrated
space of time, too soon. We will ask parent/guardians to oversee and protect
their sons/daughters from being asked to be involved in too much competitive
sport. They must be selective in the games they play and the sporting activities
they are requested to participate in. It is essential that the young elite
sportsperson is guided through their growth years with care and consideration.
We as a Club will educate our young players in the importance of rest and the
risks of playing too much sport in their formative years. Signs of an Overuse
Injury: Gradual pain develops, not an ‘impact’ injury; occurs mainly in the joints.
Particularly lower back, knee’ and heels. Not the result of a contact injury.
Swelling and inflammation to the area of complaint.
Help Avoid the Risk of Overplay Injuries Do not allow your child to be exposed to
too much sporting demands. Do not be afraid to say no. Their bodies are
experiencing physiological change and they need to have sufficient rest to cope
with the changes. If they are not being allowed rest then the possibility of
‘Overuse’ injuries occurring become more likely.
Player Diet & Nutritional Information
Like most sportsman, soccer players have to keep a strict diet to ensure they are
at their peak of physical fitness. Long gone are the days where you would see
players having fast food and soft drinks the night before a game - we are in a
totally new era where every advantage counts. Eat right first and foremost. Eating
right is key to achieving physical fitness. You can't eat too much because you'll put
on weight, but you also can't eat too little as you won't have the energy needed
for training and matches. Also, you have to make sure what you are putting into
your body is the right stuff. Lots of chocolate sounds great but it isn't what'll give
you that extra yard of pace on a Saturday/Sunday. Carbs; this is the first port of
call for people wanting to get fit and prepare for sporting glory. Carbohydrates
help your muscles recover after exercise, which is of vital importance not only in
keeping you healthy, but in giving you the ability to exercise harder and for
longer. You need to eat plenty of high glycemic foods which are the best for
muscle recovery. Foods such as bread, pasta, rice, baked potatoes are rich in the
type of carbs that you want to be eating meal wise after exercise. Straight after a
work-out, training session or match you need something quick, and foods such as
muffins and bananas will give you that quick boost. Isotonic drinks such as
Gatorade/PowerAde are superior to straight water as it gets straight to the part of
the body that needs it and will re-hydrate the system faster. Protein: Protein is
also helpful in a balanced diet. Protein can be converted to fat and stored like
carbohydrates. Good sources of protein are dairy products such as milk, yogurt
and meats and poultry. Drink: Without a doubt one of the huge steps forward in
recent years has been the introduction of isotonic sports drinks. The science
behind it is that when sodium is absorbed into the blood - it takes water with it
which replaces the salt that has left the system through sweat. That is the real
plus point of isotonic drinks over water. Electrolytes are in essence the salts that
are lost through sweating. These are found in isotonic drinks and getting them
into the system will aid the digestion and osmosis of fluid coming into the body
and the muscles. This is important as it'll help the muscles recover quicker and
should keep dehydration away. The energy within these drinks comes in the form
of glucose. Drinking this during training will help your muscles work for longer and
drinking it afterwards will help speed up the recovery process of your muscles. A
Full Weeks Diet Here is an idea of the type of diet you should be eating to get and
then keep you in peak physical shape ❨not withstanding an exercise and training
regime): Breakfasts should concentrate on cereals, preferably bran-flakes,
shredded wheat and the likes. Bagels are also good as are muffins, preferably
bran or wild blueberry. Lunches of the likes of baked potatoes with beans or tuna
are excellent. Sandwiches are a good source of all the food groups as long as they
aren't smothered in mayonnaise and have a healthy filling, for example fresh
chicken salad. Dinners should concentrate on being the main meal of the day.
Chicken, pasta, rice, lean meats with a baked or new potatoes and green
vegetables would round off a healthy and carbohydrate filled diet. Snacks of
chocolate are appropriate during exercise for a fast energy boost but eating these
types of foods when not exercising will lead to it being stored as fats instead of
being used to help the body immediately. Drinks throughout the day should
consist of fruit juices, isotonic drinks and waters. The importance of good
nutrition for soccer players…
A soccer players’ diet must enable him/her to
sustain the highest level of fitness throughout their games, and with the energy
requirements for soccer being quite high, if you’re a player, you’ll want to make
sure you’re eating the right foods. For athletes to attain their highest possible
level of achievement, it not only takes unbelievable skill and dedication, but it
also requires a healthy body. Soccer players are no different, so what should they
be eating? A football players diet should be… #1 High in energy to help with
muscle gain – eat three meals and regular snacks every day. #2 High in
carbohydrate rich foods – breakfast cereal, bread, muffins, crackers and crisp
breads, rice, pasta, potatoes, and fruit. These should form the basis for most
meals and snacks. This will help with exercise performance, recovery from
training, and muscle gain. #3 Moderate in protein rich foods – meat, poultry, fish,
dairy products, beans, peas, lentils, unsalted nuts. There is no need to eat masses
of extra protein to “bulk up.” Remember protein rich foods are not the main
source of energy for exercise. In most cases the amount of protein required can
be achieved simply by following a balanced healthy diet, which contains sufficient
carbohydrate. #4 Low in fat – try to avoid too much margarine, fatty meats, high
fat takeaway and snacks, fried food and creamy sauces. #5 High in fruit and
vegetables – Include at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables each day. They are
necessary for preventing illness, building muscles and repairing injury. #6 Low in
alcohol – it leads to poor recovery, slow repair of injury, and can contribute to
excess weight. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. What should soccer
players eat before a game? Due to the high demands of training and competing in
soccer, it’s essential that a player’s diet before the game comprises foods that can
be broken down easily to meet energy requirements. • Eat extra carbohydrate
and drink plenty of fluid, 24 hours prior to the game. • Have your last meal 3-4
hours before the game, for example pasta with a tomato based sauce and
chicken; or a baked potato with tuna. • Have a light snack 2 hours before.What
should a player eat after a game? Eating carbohydrate rich foods as soon as
possible after the game will help you recover more quickly. Opt for snacks, such
as: • Sandwich with low fat cheese, beef, chicken, tuna, boiled egg, or jam and
peanut butter • Bananas • Fruit muffins or pancakes • Bowl of cereal with low fat
milk • Low fat yogurt • Fresh fruit • Dried fruit • Low fat cereal bar • Fig rolls •
Sports drink • Fruit smoothies. Away matches? Team commitments often require
traveling away from home, and it can be very challenging to eat well at such
times. So, it’s a good idea to be prepared with healthy snacks and drinks, rather
than relying on what’s available at service stations and fast food restaurants.
Suitable snacks for traveling: Similar to above, suitable snacks may include: •
Sandwiches ❨chicken, ham, beef, tuna, banana, peanut butter or jam) • Rice cakes
• Oatcakes • Yogurt • Fresh fruit • Dried fruit • Unsalted mixed nuts Fluid
requirements… Losing fluid is the body’s way of controlling temperature during
high exertion. However it’s important that it is quickly replaced, as dehydration
can affect endurance, strength, reaction times and concentration. Suitable
options are water or sports drinks ❨which have the benefit of offering glucose,
sucrose and salt.) • 1 hour before: drink at least 500ml ❨approximately 1 pint). •
15 minutes before: drink 200ml ❨a glass). • During: drink 150ml every 15-20
minutes, if possible. • After: Drink to replenish what was lost. Remember, thirst is
not a good indicator of your fluid needs since you are already dehydrated by the
time thirst signals. Signs of dehydration include fatigue, headaches, and lethargy.
You will also know if you are adequately replacing sweat losses by checking the
color and quantity of your urine.• Very dark: you need to drink more fluid. Drink
500ml of water immediately, and continue until urine is pale yellow again. • Pale
yellow: normal water balance.
Parents & Guardians: You will have the greatest influence and control of your
child’s eating habits.
Appraisals During the period of registration the young player will take part in a
structured, progressive coaching and games program. Our Soccer Club will
endeavor to provide the best soccer development program to assist every young
player with the opportunity to reach his full potential. We will continuously
provide players and parents with updates on the players’ progress. St Cloud
Soccer Club will provide every registered player with feedback every through
verbal consultation with your coach. This will take place in at the end of the
season at the practice fields. The Player and his Parent/Guardian will be invited
to chat over the Appraisal with his coach and attend to discuss their views. If at
any time the player, his parent/guardian requires information on the player’s
progress this can be discussed with the player’s coach or with the DOC.
Child Protection
The safety of every young player at St. Cloud Soccer Club is uppermost in the
minds of every member of staff at the Club. We have a moral obligation to every
boy/girl and an assurance to every parent/guardian that their child will be given
every protection and care while they are present at the Club. All staff working
within the department has undergone FDLE Background checks to ensure their
suitability in working with children, receive regular information and training on
Child Protection issues. The Club will work with other Child Protection Agencies,
the Police and Social Services in ensuring the Child Protection Policy and
Procedures we follow are up to date and maximize care and protection to every
young player at the Club.
Equal Opportunities
St Cloud Soccer Club will pledge that every young player will be treated equally
regardless of race, sex, religion or nationality. We wish to give every young player
the opportunity to fulfil their ambitions. We will endeavor to make every young
player feel wanted. Regardless of personality, background or ability the Soccer
Club will encourage all players to achieve their maximum potential. Staff is
regularly updated in Equal Opportunities and the necessity of ensuring everyone
is treated equally and fairly. The Soccer Club policy is based on the phrase:
“ALWAYS TREAT OTHERS AS YOU WOULD EXPECT THEM TO TREAT YOU!”
Code of Conduct
St Cloud Soccer Club will always demand the highest standards from player,
parent and coach. We will always project our Soccer Club in the correct manner.
Appearance, reliability, punctuality, honesty, humility will be expected from all.
On registering with our Soccer Club we will ask player and parent/guardian to
read, agree and sign a Code of Conduct. We will constantly request players to
remember who they are, where they are and what they are. They are
representing themselves, their families and schools and the Soccer Club. They
must be responsible, and conduct themselves in a manner that can bring pride to
themselves and the Soccer Club. Parents and Coaches will lead by example.
Children will follow their example so therefore it must be exemplary. We will ask
them to always encourage fair play and never to contest a referee’s or coach’s
decision. The language that they use at all times must be acceptable and
appropriate and follow the criteria in place within the Soccer Clubs relevant Code
of Conduct. A full and comprehensive code of ethics is available on our website.
Disciplinary Procedure
We expect everyone connected to the Soccer Club to project the image of the
Soccer Club in the correct light. We cannot allow the Soccer Club to be
misrepresented and any act which can harm the name of the Soccer Club will be
actioned accordingly. The Soccer Club has a disciplinary procedure in place and
depending on the severity of the offence will determine the course of action to be
taken. On registering with the Soccer Club, player and parent fully understand
that any actions that are degrading/misrepresentative/or malicious toward the
club or any of its members will be dealt with accordingly and swiftly. This includes
but is not limited to social media and gossip an there are disciplinary procedures
in place should an act of misconduct occur.
Complaints Procedure
The St Cloud Soccer Club has in place a procedure to follow should a complaint be
made against a member of staff. If you have a complaint we ask you to contact
your coach, then the DOC. They will register your complaint and take appropriate
action. Any complaint must be made within 48 hours of the occurrence. Failure to
report the complaint in a timely manner may result in the dismissal of the
complaint.
REMEMBER: Good conduct and a disciplined lifestyle are very important. St Cloud
Soccer Club expects everyone connected to represent themselves in the correct
manner. Our Codes of Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures are in place to assist
everyone to accept and understand the high standards we expect. These can be
discussed or viewed, at any time, on request.